Tubular truss assembly

ABSTRACT

A truss assembly for supporting a roof, floor, bridge or other structure, the truss having a plurality of work points spaced apart along a length of the truss, wherein at least one work point comprises a gusset plate secured directly between two parallel and adjacent members of a chord of the truss to join the two parallel and adjacent members of the chord, and the gusset plate also secured between first ends of two parallel and adjacent strut members of the truss to join the parallel and adjacent strut members to the chord at the gusset plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 63/395,598, filed Aug. 5, 2022, the contentsof which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to truss structures, and in particular,truss structures used mostly in commercial buildings that extend fromwall to wall, wall to beam line, or beam line to beam line to support aroof.

A truss is a framework, typically consisting of chords, ties, and strutsand which supports a roof, floor, bridge, or other structure.

A hollow tubular truss structure having a tubular top chord, a tubularbottom chord, and a plurality of diagonals extending between the tubulartop chord and the tubular bottom chord is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,765,520. This disclosure aimed to address the well-known problemsassociated with conventional steel joist constructions which include butare not limited to the need for bridging and bracing per OSHA standards,bending of the top and/or bottom cords and the inability to properlysupport/distribute and/or aesthetically conceal electrical and plumbinglines and HVAC ductwork. However, the structure described in U.S. Pat.No. 9,765,520 is difficult, if not impossible, to construct due towelding difficulties and such trusses if constructed are prone totwisting and insufficient support on their own for roof structures.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a truss assembly whereina section of the truss comprises an upper chord assembly comprisingfirst and second upper chords parallel and adjacent to each other; alower chord assembly comprising first and second lower chords paralleland adjacent to each other; a plurality of upper and lower gusset platesspaced apart from each other and each gusset plate disposed along alength of either the upper chord assembly or lower chord assembly; and aplurality of strut assemblies comprising first and second strutsparallel and adjacent to each other and extending between one of theupper gusset plates and one of the lower gusset plates. At least at oneof the plurality of upper gusset plates is a first upper gusset plateand comprises the first and second upper chords secured to the firstupper gusset plate and at least one of the plurality of strut assembliesbeing secured to the first upper gusset plate and extending in adownward diagonal direction to a first lower gusset plate of theplurality of lower gusset plates and at least one more of the pluralityof strut assemblies being secured to the first lower gusset plate andextending in a upward diagonal direction away from the first lowergusset plate of to a second upper gusset plate of the plurality of uppergusset plates.

In one or more embodiments, the truss assembly further comprises atleast one upper tie gusset plate; at least one lower tie gusset plate;and at least one tie assembly comprising first and second ties paralleland adjacent to each other and extending between one of the upper gussetplates and one lower tie gusset plate or one of the lower gusset platesand one upper tie gusset plate.

Each of the plurality of upper gusset plates are offset vertically fromeach of the plurality of lower gusset plates as the gusset plates arespaced apart along the length of truss assembly.

Two of the plurality of upper gusset plates are spaced apart along alength of the upper chord assembly with one of the plurality of uppertie gusset plates therebetween.

Two of the plurality of lower gusset plates are spaced apart along alength of the lower chord assembly with one of the plurality of lowertie gusset plates therebetween.

At least three or more of the plurality of upper and lower gusset platesare spaced apart a substantially same distance along the length of thetruss.

The plurality of strut assemblies comprises parallel and adjacent metaltubes.

The upper chord assembly comprises parallel and adjacent metal tubes andthe lower chord assembly comprises parallel and adjacent metal tubes.

The metal tubes are steel tubes having a wall thickness of at least ⅛inch and at least one cross-sectional dimension of at least ½ inch.

In one or more embodiments there is at least one splice between twoadjacent upper and lower gusset plates along the length of the truss toencapsulate a length of one or both of the upper or lower chord of thetruss to connect two lengths of the truss in series or to reinforce oneor both chords of the truss.

Each splice comprises at least one plate having one or more bends alonga length of the plate.

The splice further comprises a flat plate for securing directly betweenthe two adjacent and parallel upper or lower chord members at thelocation of the splice.

In one or more embodiments, there is an end saddle for securing acrossterminal ends of the upper chord assembly of the truss assembly whereinthe end saddle comprises an upper plate and a lower plate forencapsulating a perimeter of the terminal ends of the upper chordassembly.

The end saddle further comprises a fastener for securing the upper plateand lower plate together and having fastener ends with a lengthsufficient for embedding the fastener ends into a building forinstallation of the truss assembly.

The first and second upper chords are welded directly to first andsecond opposing sides of the first upper gusset plate.

The first and second struts are welded directly to first and secondopposing sides of the first upper gusset plate.

The first and second lower chords are welded directly to first andsecond opposing sides of the first lower gusset plate.

The first and second struts are welded directly to first and secondopposing sides of the first lower gusset plate.

The truss is installed in a building to support a roof or floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a truss according to one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of a chord and strut arrangement as describedherein.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a truss installed.

FIG. 3B is a side detail view of a truss bearing.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of a truss.

FIG. 5 is a side detail view of a top chord splice at a ridge of atruss.

FIG. 6 is a side detail view of a bottom chord splice.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional end view of a bottom chord splice.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a truss length with a splice.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the truss with the splice.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the truss with the splice.

FIG. 11 a front view of an end saddle for an installation of the truss.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the end saddle assembly andtruss.

FIG. 13 is an end view of an installation utilizing a plurality ofparallel trusses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a tubular truss structure. The truss structureincludes a top or upper chord and a bottom or lower chord which extendsalong a length of the overall truss span. The truss span furthercomprises a plurality of struts and connection plates for securing thestruts to each of the upper and lower chords. The truss described hereinhas a redundant structure of sorts in that each tubular chord and strutis paired with an adjacent and parallel chord or strut, wherein ends orother locations on each parallel chord and/or strut are secured toopposing sides of a same connection plate. The connection platesdescribed herein may be gusset plates and are positioned betweenrespective adjacent and parallel chords and struts.

The plurality of connection plates are spaced apart along the overalllength of the truss and are secured in position directly between theadjacent and parallel upper and lower chords respectively. Theconnection plates may then extend downwardly from the upper chord orupwardly from the lower chord, for connection to one or more strutswhich are positioned along the length of the truss.

The struts generally extend at an angle from one chord to the opposingchord of the truss. In the embodiments described herein, the connectionplates or gusset plates are positioned along the truss span at one ormore work points and connect to terminal ends of each strut on the upperand lower chord respectively.

In one or more embodiments, the truss structure may further include oneor more ties. The ties generally extend vertically from one chord to theopposing chord of the truss. In the embodiments described herein, theconnection plates or tie gusset plates are positioned along the trussspan at one or more work points and connect to terminal ends of each tieon the upper and lower chord respectively. The ties add stability to thechords and may be beneficial when a truss length is increased.

A work point is a location on either the upper or lower chord where thecenterline of a strut or tie intersects the centerline of an upper orlower chord respectively. At the work point is generally a gusset platesecured to and between the adjacent and parallel chord tubes andextending into the open space of the truss framework such that ends ofthe strut or tie and adjacent and parallel strut or tie are also securedto the same gusset plate. The distance between work points measured fromthe intersection of centerlines is substantially the same for at leastsome work points along a length of the truss. In one embodiment, thedistance between work points is the same across the span of the trussexcluding the distance between a first and a last work point and therespective end of the truss or the first two and last two work points onthe span to account for installation and/or the difference in length ofthe upper and lower chords.

In one embodiment, the truss structure described herein comprises atubular framework. The tubes are substantially hollow metal tubes. Eachof the upper and lower chords of the truss comprise a length ofadjacently and parallel positioned metal tubes. The upper and lowerchords may each comprise two tubes, or a plurality of tubes. Forexample, the upper and/or lower chords may each comprise two tubes whichinclude one tube which extends the entire length or substantially theentire length of the truss span and its adjacent and parallel tube whichalso extends the entire length or substantially the entire length of thetruss span. The lower chord may be shorter in length than the upperchord in some embodiments and may not extend to a connection with a wallor other support structure for installation of the truss.

In other embodiments, the truss may comprise an upper and/or lower chordcomprised of a plurality of tubes, which are connected “end to end”, toform the overall length of the truss. The plurality of tubes connected“end to end” may allow for a curved upper chord shape, apex shape, orshape wherein the upper and lower chords are not parallel. Sucharrangement may also be used in a truss where the upper chord and lowerchords are parallel along the length. A plurality of tubes may be on oneor both of the upper chord and lower chord to otherwise allow for longertruss span lengths. The plurality of tubes in such an embodiment mayalso be connected “end to end” via connection plates that may also beconnected to one or more struts, and/or may be connected by largersupport connection plates also referred to as “splices,” at locationsalong the truss span with or without struts.

In one or more embodiments, the truss span may further include one ormore splices. A splice comprises one or more plates which are configuredto encapsulate the upper and lower chords at the location of the spliceand can be used to connect two lengths of the upper and/or bottom chordto extend the length of the truss. The plates are secured directly toouter and inner surfaces of the adjacent and parallel tubes and may alsocross ends of two adjacent end to end tubes of one or both chords forcomplete connection and/or reinforcement of the chord(s). For example,three plates form a splice and are provided on each outside face of thetruss and directly between the two adjacent and parallel chord tubes. Asplice can be provided along the length of the truss at any point.

An end saddle may also be provided for the truss installation. The endsaddle is configured to support and secure terminal ends of the upperchord of the truss. The end saddle may also be used to support andsecure terminal ends of the lower chord of the truss. The end saddleties the truss structure together and is mountable in a wall or supportsurface where the truss is to be installed. For example, the end saddleis embedded in a wall such as a concrete wall, and the end saddle thenconnects and secures to the terminal end of the upper chord. Theterminal end of the upper chord is received within the end saddle andretained therein. Thus, to inadvertently dislodge the truss from thewall, the entire wall would need to be substantially damaged orotherwise deconstructed at one or more locations. This adds stability tobuildings exposed to high force winds such as from tornadoes orhurricanes.

The end saddle may generally be “U” shaped with a lower mounting platehaving vertical side panels and a top plate. The upper chord fits intothe lower mounting plate, and a top plate is then secured on top of andspanning the upper chord. Apertures in the lower mounting plate and topplate are provided and aligned for insertion of fasteners which securethe plates together via connection into receivers on the opposing sideof the plates. The lower mounting plate may be imbedded in a wall andthe end of the truss inserted therein, with the top plate securedthereto for securing the truss in place.

In further detail, a tubular truss assembly 10 according to one or moreembodiments described herein is illustrated in FIGS. 1-13 . The trussassembly 10 comprises an upper chord span 12 and a lower chord span 14with a plurality of struts 16 installed along the span of the truss 10.The angled struts 16 extend between chords 12 and 14 for structuralsupport of the truss 10. As illustrated in further detail in FIG. 2 forexample, each of the upper chord 12 and lower chord 14 are comprised ofadjacent and parallel upper chord lengths 12A and 12B and adjacent andparallel lower chord lengths 14A and 14B. The adjacent and parallelchord lengths 12A, 12B and 14A, 14B are secured “side by side” to formthe truss 10 by way of a plurality of gusset plates 18 positioneddirectly between to the lengths 12 and 14 at each work point 28 spacedapart along the length or span of the truss 10.

A work point 28 is a location on either the upper chord 12 or lowerchord 14 where an end of a strut 16 meets the upper chord 12 or lowerchord 14, respectively. Generally, at the work point 28 a gusset plate18 is secured to and between the adjacent and parallel chord tubes 12A,12B or 14A, 14B and extending into the open space of the truss 10framework such that ends of the strut 16A and adjacent and parallelstrut 16B are also secured to the same gusset plate 18. The distancebetween work points 28 measured by the center of the plate on a verticalaxis extending between the upper chord 12 and lower chord 14 issubstantially the same for at least some work points 28 along a lengthor span of the truss 10. In one embodiment, the distance between workpoints 28 is substantially the same across the span of the truss 10excluding the distance between a first and a last work point 28 and therespective end of the truss 10 or the first two and last two work points28 on the span to account for installation and/or the difference inlength of the upper chord 12 and lower chords 14.

The adjacent and parallel chord lengths 12A, 12B and 14A, 14B and struts16A, 16B refer to truss members 10 that are adjacent in a parallelplane. These adjacent and parallel tubes are essentially “side by side”.The “side by side” adjacent and parallel tubes 12A, 12B of the upperchord 12 are secured together at one or more locations spaced apartalong the length or span of the chord 12 at one or more upper gussetplates 18 and/or at respective ends of span expanding chord lengths 12via one or more splices 30. Similarly, side by side adjacent andparallel tubes 14A, 14B of the lower chord 14 are secured together atone or more locations spaced apart along the length or span of the chord14 at one or more lower gusset plates 18 and/or at respective ends ofspan extending chord lengths 14 via one or more splices 30 as describedin further detail below.

One or more struts 16A of the truss 10 may then be secured at a firstend thereof to a first or subsequent upper gusset plate 18 and theadjacent and parallel strut 16B is also secured at a first end thereofto an opposing side of the same first or subsequent upper gusset plate18. Second opposing ends of the struts 16A and 16B are then secured toopposing sides of a first or subsequent lower gusset plate 18 insubstantially the same manner.

The gusset plates 18 support and connect the adjacent and parallel metaltubes of a chord 12 or 14 and one or more struts 16 along the span ofthe truss. In some locations across the span of the truss 10, asubsequent gusset plate 18 supports the two adjacent and parallel metaltubes of the upper 12 or lower 14 chord as well as two adjacent struts16 along the span of the truss 10 and the adjacent and parallel metaltubes therefor. Optionally, in some locations across the span of thetruss 10, a subsequent gusset plate also supports a first end of avertical tie 20A and its optional adjacent and parallel tie 20B. As atie 20 is generally positioned to extending vertically between the upperchord 12 and lower chord 14, a second end of a tie 20 is secured to theopposing chord length at a smaller connection or gusset plate 22. Thesmaller connection or gusset plate 22 may be used as the gusset plate 22is positioned on a chord 12 or 14 between work points for the respectivechord 12 or 14 and thus the gusset plate 22 is used for connection ofthe second ends of the adjacent and parallel tie 20A, 20B componentswhile also being secured between the adjacent and parallel chord lengthsat said location.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 , a splice 30 connects two truss 10 spansor two portions of a truss 10 span, referred to herein as truss length10 and truss length 10′. In the embodiment illustrated the splice 30 ispositioned between work points 28 and thus there may be no strut 16positioned at the splice 30. The splice 30 connects two lengths of truss10, 10′ via a plate or plates having a thickness that may be the same,greater or less than the gusset plates 18, 22 of the trusses 10, 10′and/or having a thickness the same, greater or less than the sidewallsof the tubular components of the trusses 10, 10′. The splice 30 maycompletely and/or substantially encapsulate respective end portions orend lengths of each of the top chords 12, 12′ and/or bottom chords 14,14′ that are coupled together via the splice 30. It is also contemplatedand within the scope of this disclosure that a splice 30 may beinstalled in substantially the same manner to reinforce a length ofcontinuous truss 10 rather than connecting two lengths 10, 10′ to form aspan.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10 , each splice 30 comprises one or more outerplates 32, 34 and an inner plate 36. The outer plates 32 and 34 may eachhave a bend or elbow such that the outer plates are substantially “L”shaped. The outer plates 32 and 34 may have a second bend or elbow suchthat the end plates are substantially “U” shaped. The outer plates 32,34 are secured to opposing outside faces of the end lengths of chords 12and 12′ or 14 and 14′ that are being connected or coupled at the splice30. The inner plate 36 may then be secured directly between the adjacentand parallel chords 12A, 12B and extending to chords 12A′ and 12B′ or14A, 14B and 14A′ and 14B′. The plates 32, 34, 36 may be welded directlyto the respective trusses 10, length or lengths or otherwise fixedlysecured thereto. In one or more embodiments, the splice 30 comprisesplates 32, 34, 36 constructed and arranged in a manner such that thesplice substantially or completely encases the respective length or endlengths of the trusses 10, 10′.

There may be ties 20A, 20B secured to gusset plates 22 on opposing sidesand adjacent or immediately adjacent to ends of the splice 30 where theties are secured to the truss and/or 10′ in substantially the samemanner as described previously above.

One or more of the truss 10 components including the chords 12, 14,struts 16 and ties 20 may be comprised of metal tubes or extrusion thatare generally hollow along the length thereof. The tubes components maybe welded directly to the respective gusset plates 18, 22 or otherwisefixedly connected to the gusset plates 18, 22. The gusset plates 18, 22are secured directly between each pair of adjacent and parallel metaltubes, also referred to as a “counterpart” tube. Each tube and itscounterpart tube are secured to a location on the respective side orface of gusset plates 18, 22 that may be substantially the same.

The truss assembly 10 may then be secured at one or both terminal endswith an end saddle 50. The end saddle 50 may be installed on ends of theupper chord 12 and also be utilized to secure and install the truss in abuilding for supporting a roof or floor for example. The end saddle 50thus also serves as construction hardware for placing the truss. An endsaddle is illustrated in further detail in FIGS. 11-12 . The end saddle50 comprises an upper mounting plate 52 and a lower mounting plate 54.The upper mounting plate 52 and lower mounting plate 52 are configuredto secure to a top and bottom face of the end length of the chord 14 andspan across the truss 10 end length such that both chord lengths 12A,12B are secured together with the saddle 50. The plates 52, 54 are thensecured together with the end length of the chord 14 therebetween. Theplates 52 and 54 may be clamped together via the fasteners to secure theend of the chord 12 in position and to securely hold the end 12 of thetruss 10 in place when installed in a building for example.

In the embodiment illustrated, the upper mounting plate 52 is asubstantially flat plate having a plurality of apertures spaced therealong, each for receiving a fastener 58 therethrough. The lower mountingplate 54 similarly has a plurality of apertures for pass through of thefasteners 58 wherein the position of the apertures is aligned verticallywith respect to the plates 52, 54 when installed across the end of thechord 12. The lower mounting plate 54 is a length with a plurality ofbends 60 or elbows to provide a middle length having a substantially “U”shaped length 62 and with horizontal terminal end lengths 64. The shapeof the lower mounting plate 54 allows the end saddle 50 to surround theouter surface of the end length of the chord 12.

The fasteners 58 are inserted through the upper mounting plate 52 andinto and through lower mounting plate 54 to connect with fastener tubes66 which receive the end lengths of the fasteners 58. In the embodimentillustrated, the fasteners 58 are bolts and upper ends of the fastenertubes 66 are threaded to receive the ends of the bolts 58. The fastenertubes 66 have a length that extends away from connection with the lowermounting plate 54 and this length can be installed or embedded intoconcrete or another substrate for mounting the truss span 10. The endsaddle 50 may be comprised of metal plates and components of varyingthickness.

As shown in FIG. 13 , one or more trusses 10 may be installed in abuilding for example. The trusses 10 may be installed with and securedin the installation by way of one or more support struts 68 and/or othersupport and/or alignment or spacing structures 70.

As described throughout this disclosure, the truss chords may becomprised of metal tubes of any cross-sectional shape, not limited tosquare or rectangular as shown in the illustrated embodiments. The tubesmay be steel tubes or other metals demonstrating high strength orotherwise a material appropriate for the end use of the truss, which mayvary amongst end uses such as bridges and buildings of different sizes.The wall thickness of the tubes and/or cross-sectional dimensions mayvary depending on the end use of the truss. The length of the trussaccording to one or more embodiments herein may also be shortened orextended based on the end use of the truss by way of selecting a numberof work points on the truss.

The struts and ties may also be tubular, and of substantially the same,or different construction and/or dimensions of the tubes of the chords.The gusset plates may also be comprised of the same material as thechords and/or struts and/or ties. The plates may have a thicknessranging from approximately ⅛ inch to 1 inch or greater.

By way of non-limiting example, the upper and lower chords of a trussaccording to one or more embodiments described herein are comprised oftubular metal extrusions with varying dimensions based on expected load.For example, the metal tubes of the chords and/or struts may have a wallthickness of approximately ⅛ inch or greater, 3/16 inch or greater andhave a square cross-sectional dimension of approximately 1 inch by 1inch or greater, 2 inch by 2 in, or 4 inches by 4 inches or greater. Inanother embodiment, a load bearing truss according to one or moreembodiments described herein may have approximately one-inch-thick platemetal tubes which are approximately 6 inches by 6 inches incross-section.

In constructing a building for example and using a truss assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments described herein as a trussstructure for a roof, no columns are required within the interior of thebuilding to support the truss structure, and in particular the roofsupported thereon.

When the tubular framework of the truss, including the chord tubes,struts, and ties are secured to the gusset plates via welding orotherwise secured together according to one or more embodimentsdescribed herein, the truss structure formed is very rigid andconsequently has a strong resistance to twisting when loads or crossforce is applied thereto. Moreover, the construction of the truss allowsfor the carrying of heavier loads without twisting for truss spansranging from about six feet in length to about 400 feet in length. Theuse of one or more trusses according to one or more embodiments hereincan support a roof structure without any interior support columns.

The ties add rigidity to the truss and increase the load which the trusscan carry.

In one or more embodiments described herein, the bottom or lower chordmay not extend at one or both ends as far as the top or upper chord. Ininstallation, the bottom chord need not extend to contact a side wallfor the roof or other structure the truss is supporting. It is notnecessary that the bottom chord extend as far and connect to a side wallas long as the top chord is connected to a side wall. Connecting thebottom chord to the sidewall may add further rigidity but is notrequired with this truss construction.

The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein account for variouslength, shape, and load capacity trusses. In further detail, dependingon the length of the truss and shape of the truss, each chord mayinclude one lone tubular section or a plurality of tubular sections thatare adjacently secured in an “end to end” manner to form the overalllength, or span, of the truss. Wherein the truss span comprises aplurality of tubular lengths, each two adjacent metal tubes of each ofthe upper and lower chords are secured together at respective ends tocomplete the span of the upper or lower chord respectively. For example,the upper chord may comprise a plurality of metal tubes which form thelength of the upper chord. Two adjacent tubes in the chord may include aforward end of a first metal tube and a rear of a second metal tubewhich are connected using a gusset plate and/or optionally a splice.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure.

1. A truss assembly wherein a section of the truss comprises: an upperchord assembly comprising first and second upper chords parallel andadjacent to each other; a lower chord assembly comprising first andsecond lower chords parallel and adjacent to each other; a plurality ofupper and lower gusset plates spaced apart from each other and eachgusset plate disposed along a length of either the upper chord assemblyor lower chord assembly; a plurality of strut assemblies comprisingfirst and second struts parallel and adjacent to each other andextending between one of the upper gusset plates and one of the lowergusset plates; wherein at least at one of the plurality of upper gussetplates is a first upper gusset plate and comprises the first and secondupper chords secured to the first upper gusset plate and at least one ofthe plurality of strut assemblies being secured to the first uppergusset plate and extending in a downward diagonal direction to a firstlower gusset plate of the plurality of lower gusset plates and at leastone more of the plurality of strut assemblies being secured to the firstlower gusset plate and extending in a upward diagonal direction awayfrom the first lower gusset plate of to a second upper gusset plate ofthe plurality of upper gusset plates.
 2. The truss assembly of claim 1and further comprising: at least one upper tie gusset plate; at leastone lower tie gusset plate; and at least one tie assembly comprisingfirst and second ties parallel and adjacent to each other and extendingbetween one of the upper gusset plates and one lower tie gusset plate orone of the lower gusset plates and one upper tie gusset plate.
 3. Thetruss assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of upper gussetplates are offset vertically from each of the plurality of lower gussetplates as the gusset plates are spaced apart along the length of trussassembly.
 4. The truss assembly of claim 2 wherein two of the pluralityof upper gusset plates are spaced apart along a length of the upperchord assembly with one of the plurality of upper tie gusset platestherebetween.
 5. The truss assembly of claim 2 wherein two of theplurality of lower gusset plates are spaced apart along a length of thelower chord assembly with one of the plurality of lower tie gussetplates therebetween.
 6. The truss assembly of claim 1 wherein at leastthree or more of the plurality of upper and lower gusset plates arespaced apart a substantially same distance along the length of thetruss.
 7. The truss assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of strutassemblies comprises parallel and adjacent metal tubes.
 8. The trussassembly of claim 1 wherein the upper chord assembly comprises paralleland adjacent metal tubes and the lower chord assembly comprises paralleland adjacent metal tubes.
 9. The truss assembly of claim 8 wherein themetal tubes are steel tubes having a wall thickness of at least ⅛ inchand at least one cross-sectional dimension of at least ½ inch.
 10. Thetruss assembly of claim 1 and further comprising at least one splicebetween two adjacent upper and lower gusset plates along the length ofthe truss to encapsulate a length of one or both of the upper or lowerchord of the truss to connect two lengths of the truss in series or toreinforce one or both chords of the truss.
 11. The truss assembly ofclaim 10 wherein each splice comprises at least one plate having one ormore bends along a length of the plate.
 12. The truss assembly of claim11 wherein the splice further comprises a flat plate for securingdirectly between the two adjacent and parallel upper or lower chordmembers at the location of the splice.
 13. The truss assembly of claim 1and further comprising an end saddle for securing across terminal endsof the upper chord assembly of the truss assembly wherein the end saddlecomprises an upper plate and a lower plate for encapsulating a perimeterof the terminal ends of the upper chord assembly.
 14. The truss assemblyof claim 13 wherein the end saddle further comprises a fastener forsecuring the upper plate and lower plate together and having fastenerends with a length sufficient for embedding the fastener ends into abuilding for installation of the truss assembly.
 15. The truss assemblyof claim 1 wherein the first and second upper chords are welded directlyto first and second opposing sides of the first upper gusset plate. 16.The truss assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second struts arewelded directly to first and second opposing sides of the first uppergusset plate.
 17. The truss assembly of claim 1 wherein the first andsecond lower chords are welded directly to first and second opposingsides of the first lower gusset plate.
 18. The truss assembly of claim17 wherein the first and second struts are welded directly to first andsecond opposing sides of the first lower gusset plate.
 19. The trussassembly of claim 1 wherein the truss is installed in a building tosupport a roof or floor.
 20. The truss assembly of claim 1 and furthercomprising an end saddle for securing across terminal ends of the lowerchord assembly of the truss assembly wherein the end saddle comprises anupper plate and a lower plate for encapsulating a perimeter of theterminal ends of the lower chord assembly.
 21. The truss assembly ofclaim 20 wherein the end saddle further comprises a fastener forsecuring the upper plate and the lower plate together and havingfastener ends with a length sufficient for embedding the fastener endsinto a building for installation of the truss assembly.